Fire alarm



Oct. 28, 1930.

J. H. CONNER FIRE ALARM Filed Ju i 24, 1929 I 81400111 07 J H Carr/11,2 I.

Patented Oct. 28, 1930 1 o eg;

JAMES H. comma, or ROSMAN, some canonina FIRE ALARM Application filed July 24, 1929. Serial No. 380,676.

The present invention is directed to improvements in fire alarms.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a device of this character so constructed that air under pressure will be released to sound an alarm upon the melting of a fusible element.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind which is extremely simple in construction, positive in operation, and one which can be easily and quickly installed for use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character wherein novel means are employed for holding the air controlling valves in closed position, the construction being such that the valves will be permitted to quickly open when a fire occurs, the opening of the valves causing an alarm to be sounded.

With these and other objects in view, this invention resides in the novel features of construction, formation, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view, somewhat diagrammatic, illustrating the relative arrangement of the parts.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through one of the valves.

Figure 4: is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified form.

Referring to the drawing, 1 designates a pipe line which leads from a compressed air storage tank 2, said line having a gauge 3 connected with its terminal in order that the amount of pressure in the tank may be observed and so that the desired pressure for effective operation may be maintained.

Running parallel with the pipe line 1 is a pipe assembly 4, one terminal of which is closed by a cap 5, while the other terminal is connected with a whistle 6 of any suitable design.

It will, of course, be understood that the pipe line and pipe assembly will be strung through a building and will be so located that they will be subjected to heat caused by a fire which may occur at any point throughout the systems The length of the pipe and pipe assembly will, of course, be governed by the "size of the building to be equipped. The pipe line and pipe assembly are con: named at intervals by pipe sections 7 and '8 and'between which are connectedcasings 9, said casings having rotatably'engaged there'- valves 10 providedwith stems 11, to which are fixed the ends of the levers'1'2', saidlevers shaving weights 13 carried thereby. The

valves are provided with passages 14 which arenormallypositioned tocut oif communication between the pipeline'and pipe assembly, to prevent air from the pipeline passing tothe pipe assembly. p The levers are provided "ith hooks 15 which are adapted to engage theloop's 16 which serve to hold the .pas'sa' es 1A: of the valves in their closed position. resno-ps are formed from single strand d fusiblem'ate rial'and are engaged around the pipe assem bly'and with the hooks 15 to hold the levers 12 in their normal position. The terminals of the strands providingthe loops are twisted, as at 17, to secure. the samein place and effectively hold the levers'elevated.

Obviously, when a loop" melts the lever 12 upheld thereby will. be released, whereupon it will swing downwardly, due'tothe .presence of the weight 13 thereon, thereby opening the valve lOand permitting air from the pipe line to ,pass into the pipefasfsembly to sound the whistle, thus indicating that a; fire has. occurred. at some point within the building, 'The whistle may be located eXteriorly ofthe building or may be located in a watch house.

.The tank 2 may be furnished with air from any suitable source.

. From the foregoing, it is thought that the operation and many advantages of the herein described invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without further description and it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion and minor detailsof construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In Figure 4, the pipe sections 7 and 8 have coupled therebetween casings 17 in which are mounted spring pressed valves 18, the stems 19 of which are arranged to be engaged by the cams 20 carried by the levers 20 which, in this instance, are pivoted, as at 21, with the casings 17 and are held in their inogerative position by the fusible loops 16. bviously, when the loops melt and the levers 20 drop the cams 20 thereof will engage the stems and unseat the valves 18.

What I claim is:

1. In a pneumatic fire alarm, the combination with two lines of piping arranged parallel, one of said pipes being connected with a source of fluid under pressure, and having a gauge for indicating said pressure, and the other of said pipes being connected with signal means, of a plurality of pipes connecting both of said lines of piping and each being equipped with a normally closed valve, said valve having a stem projecting exteriorly thereof, a pivoted lever, an element of fusible material disposed exteriorly of and near said stem and normally. holding said pivoted lever substantially horizontal, and a vweight on said lever for rocking said lever downward upon fusing of said fusible material, said lever operating to move said stem to open said valve and permit of the flow of fluid under pressure through said valve to operate said signal means.

2. In a pneumatic fire alarm, the combination with a pipe for supplying fluid under pressure and a pipe leading to signal means, of a coupling pipe connecting both of said pipes and having a valve therein normally closed, a pivoted lever associated with said valve and disposed exteriorly thereof. a weight on said lever, and a loop of fusible material encircling said lever and the pipe which leads to the signal means and disposed exteriorly of and adjacent said valve, fusing of said material permitting of said lever gravitating under influence of the weight thereon, said lever being adapted while gravitating to open said valve and permit passage of fluid from said fluid supply pipeto said pipe leading to the signal means.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

JAMES H. CONNER. [n 8. 

